Jesus Calls Peter
Children's Resources
Spotlight On Jesus
Readers' Theater For Children's Church
Characters
Narrator
Jesus
Peter
Andrew
Questions
1.
As the scene began, where were Peter and Andrew when Jesus met them?
2.
Had they ever met before?
3.
What favor did Jesus ask of them?
4.
What finally convinced Peter and Andrew to leave everything and follow Jesus?
Narrator: When Jesus returned from being tempted by the devil, he began preaching the gospel in the northern state of Galilee.
Jesus: (calls out) Friends, repent and turn away from your sins. Believe the good news! God is sending his chosen one, to establish God's kingdom in those who believe.
Narrator: Large crowds began coming to Jesus from all over Galilee and Judea. It was obvious that Jesus needed others to expand his work and continue it after he returned to heaven. We find Jesus walking along the Sea of Galilee, followed by a large crowd.
Jesus: Friends, if you keep pushing in so close, you'll shove me into the water. Ah! There's two men fishing in their boat. I could get in their boat and push out from shore. Then all of you could see and hear me. Why, it's Peter and his brother Andrew. (calls out) Peter! Andrew! How's the fishing?
Peter: Lousy! Worse than lousy; it's rotten!
Andrew: We've been fishing all night and haven't caught a blasted fish.
Peter: Is that you, Jesus? Whatcha doing down here by the lake?
Jesus: Fishing for souls, netting them into the kingdom, bringing them the good news.
Andrew: Peter, let's go in and listen. We're certainly not accomplishing anything out here.
Jesus: How about loaning me your boat? I'll sit in the bow and you can row me out from shore. That way I can speak to all these people.
Peter: Hop in and we'll take you out.
Andrew: Teacher, remember when we first met?
Jesus: Yes, indeed. It was a month ago down in Judea, by the Jordan River, listening to John the Baptist.
Andrew: I saw the prophet point at you, and say, "There goes the man, who's like a lamb sacrificed to take away our sins." Out of curiosity I began walking toward you to learn more.
Jesus: I asked, "What do you want?"
Andrew: I couldn't think of a thing to say. I blurted out something stupid like, "Where're you staying?"
Jesus: We spent the whole day, sharing my dream of the gospel of God's love.
Peter: Ole Andy was so taken, he dragged me off to meet you the next day. That's when I discovered for myself that God had indeed anointed you with a special call. I wanted to be a part of your movement, but I had a family to support. So I came back here to resume my fishing.
Andrew: (quietly) It's never been the same since we met you. We've caught a vision of something greater than fishing. Well, we've rowed out far enough. We'll weigh anchor and you can speak to the crowd.
Jesus: Friends, God's kingdom is wherever God rules as king. To enter that kingdom, we must turn from our sins and believe in the one whom God has sent. This kingdom is more valuable than anything else on earth. It's like a pearl merchant who spent his whole life collecting valuable pearls. Then one day he came across the most beautiful pearl in the world. He gladly sold all his other pearls to obtain that one pearl of great price. And so with us; what shall it profit anyone to gain the whole world, yet lose his or her own soul?
Narrator: When Jesus had finished preaching, Peter said to him:
Peter: Rabbi, those were wonderful words. I feel lifted up into a different world. I just wish ...
Andrew: We're sick of fishing. There must be something better in life. If only we didn't have families, boats, houses, and bills to pay, we'd go with you. If only we had more faith.
Jesus: Peter, Andrew, cast your net back into the lake.
Peter: It won't do any good, Jesus, we've be doing that all night. But if it'll make you happy, we'll do what you say.
Andrew: Peter, look! Our nets are filled with so many fish, they're about to burst.
Peter: Lord, I'm a stubborn, doubting sinner, unworthy to be in your presence.
Jesus: I want you two to come with me. I'll teach you to fish for the souls of men and women.
Andrew: We'll follow you, Lord ... right now, today.
Peter: Here I am leaving behind my family, my business, my friends, and yet I feel happier that I've ever felt before.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
Jesus
Peter
Andrew
Questions
1.
As the scene began, where were Peter and Andrew when Jesus met them?
2.
Had they ever met before?
3.
What favor did Jesus ask of them?
4.
What finally convinced Peter and Andrew to leave everything and follow Jesus?
Narrator: When Jesus returned from being tempted by the devil, he began preaching the gospel in the northern state of Galilee.
Jesus: (calls out) Friends, repent and turn away from your sins. Believe the good news! God is sending his chosen one, to establish God's kingdom in those who believe.
Narrator: Large crowds began coming to Jesus from all over Galilee and Judea. It was obvious that Jesus needed others to expand his work and continue it after he returned to heaven. We find Jesus walking along the Sea of Galilee, followed by a large crowd.
Jesus: Friends, if you keep pushing in so close, you'll shove me into the water. Ah! There's two men fishing in their boat. I could get in their boat and push out from shore. Then all of you could see and hear me. Why, it's Peter and his brother Andrew. (calls out) Peter! Andrew! How's the fishing?
Peter: Lousy! Worse than lousy; it's rotten!
Andrew: We've been fishing all night and haven't caught a blasted fish.
Peter: Is that you, Jesus? Whatcha doing down here by the lake?
Jesus: Fishing for souls, netting them into the kingdom, bringing them the good news.
Andrew: Peter, let's go in and listen. We're certainly not accomplishing anything out here.
Jesus: How about loaning me your boat? I'll sit in the bow and you can row me out from shore. That way I can speak to all these people.
Peter: Hop in and we'll take you out.
Andrew: Teacher, remember when we first met?
Jesus: Yes, indeed. It was a month ago down in Judea, by the Jordan River, listening to John the Baptist.
Andrew: I saw the prophet point at you, and say, "There goes the man, who's like a lamb sacrificed to take away our sins." Out of curiosity I began walking toward you to learn more.
Jesus: I asked, "What do you want?"
Andrew: I couldn't think of a thing to say. I blurted out something stupid like, "Where're you staying?"
Jesus: We spent the whole day, sharing my dream of the gospel of God's love.
Peter: Ole Andy was so taken, he dragged me off to meet you the next day. That's when I discovered for myself that God had indeed anointed you with a special call. I wanted to be a part of your movement, but I had a family to support. So I came back here to resume my fishing.
Andrew: (quietly) It's never been the same since we met you. We've caught a vision of something greater than fishing. Well, we've rowed out far enough. We'll weigh anchor and you can speak to the crowd.
Jesus: Friends, God's kingdom is wherever God rules as king. To enter that kingdom, we must turn from our sins and believe in the one whom God has sent. This kingdom is more valuable than anything else on earth. It's like a pearl merchant who spent his whole life collecting valuable pearls. Then one day he came across the most beautiful pearl in the world. He gladly sold all his other pearls to obtain that one pearl of great price. And so with us; what shall it profit anyone to gain the whole world, yet lose his or her own soul?
Narrator: When Jesus had finished preaching, Peter said to him:
Peter: Rabbi, those were wonderful words. I feel lifted up into a different world. I just wish ...
Andrew: We're sick of fishing. There must be something better in life. If only we didn't have families, boats, houses, and bills to pay, we'd go with you. If only we had more faith.
Jesus: Peter, Andrew, cast your net back into the lake.
Peter: It won't do any good, Jesus, we've be doing that all night. But if it'll make you happy, we'll do what you say.
Andrew: Peter, look! Our nets are filled with so many fish, they're about to burst.
Peter: Lord, I'm a stubborn, doubting sinner, unworthy to be in your presence.
Jesus: I want you two to come with me. I'll teach you to fish for the souls of men and women.
Andrew: We'll follow you, Lord ... right now, today.
Peter: Here I am leaving behind my family, my business, my friends, and yet I feel happier that I've ever felt before.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
